Red Bull Salzburg made a big step towards Playoff Qualification after a shutout win over Frisk Asker that secured them a third-straight win.

It took until 46:18 for Salzburg to get on the scoreboard when Peter Schneider’s one-timer capitalised on a powerplay opportunity in the final period.

Salzburg came away with a dominant victory over Asker in the previous meeting between the two teams a week ago, but the visitors proved far more stubborn to break down on this occasion.

Scoring opportunities had been at a premium for much of the game as Asker’s Swedish netminder Nicklas Dahlberg grew in influence.

Salzburg’s leading point scorer Ty Loney took an early tripping penalty that allowed Asker an early powerplay to find their groove. Hampus Gustafsson and Mats Frøshaug went to work on the man advantage testing Nicolas Wieser in quick succession.

Salzburg marginally outshot Asker in the opening period and their best opportunity came from a powerplay chance of their own. Schneider’s shot from the left face-off circle ricocheted off Dahlberg’s post.

Dahlberg, who made a combined total of 68-saves in Asker’s first two games, again found himself the busier of the two goaltenders and was called on to make 31-saves to keep Salzburg at bay.  

Asker continued to frustrate Salzburg into the third period when the deadlock was finally broken after Magnus Geheb took a slashing penalty. Ali Wukovits worked the puck across the crease to Schneider, who made no mistake firing in over Dahlberg’s blocker.